Apparatus for supporting and spacing reinforcing devices



Nov.- A16, 1943. R. D. YANKEE APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING AND SPACING REINFORCING DEVICES Filed March 20, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l e. e ,mMEl-LLMMMMWM WIM m HQ my@ m f vp. m A b, MMMMMM whims. @WY

Nov. 16, 1943. R. D. YANKE APPARATUS` FOR SUPPORTING AND SPACING REINFORCING DEVICES Filed March 20L 1941 -2 sheets-sheet 2 INENTOR @a/2 )nke 'A RNEY Patented Nov. 16, 1943 .f

Y APPARATUS Fon-SUPPORTING AND sirname BEINFOBCING DENIoEs Ralph Yankee, Kansas City, Mo. application Maren 2o, 1941, serial No. 384,316

9 claims. (cm2-i122) nomical and efficient apparatus for the purpose noted. Y

"One ofthe chief problems encountered in erecting buildings and likestructures is to reconcile an architects rigid requirements in accuracy of structure and appearance of the intended structure Vwith the contractors desire to erect the structure as cheaply as possible with the labor available. A time element is also usually involved in the erection of Va structure and rit is obviously to the contractors advantage to. be able to erect a building inV a minimum amount of time'without sacrificing quality or strength.

Other objects of the lpresent invention are, therefore, to provide apparatus by 'which architects specifications may be scrupulously followed, and by which the Work of the men on the structure, under direction of the contractor, isV materially facilitated ,by-allowing speedingup of the work, reducing makeshift practices in the work, requiring less actual'work to be done,` and allowing a better job to be accomplished.

The` iron workers procedurevr in placing reinforcing steelin beams, j'oists, slabs,A and the like,l

in constructing arbuilding is to set stirrups` at measured distances, as specied by-thearchitect in his blue prints, in the beam end adjacentthe column; Stringing the tops` as near that spacing as possible by anchoring loose wires on both sides ofthe beam at the column andv looping each individual stirrup, and when-alliare strung, Yagain anchoring theloose wires toja nail driven ina form. Beam holsters are thenplaced throughout the beam or joist orf slab form,v on which are placed the reinforcing-rods,'whatever be their shape as designed by the architect. The rods .are spaced andsecured as well-as possibleby tying at numerous-points) to the` bolsters.` Then each individual `stirrupV is tied up to vthe main reinforcement Vat two'places to enableV them and the rod network thus formed to be supported free of the forms.

This present method is not accurate and requires much tying to secure the desired result. The traic of workmenandmpacts during construction usually causes the reinforcement to be displaced from desireddposition and in some cases, `Where the loose wires have to be cut tov allow introduction of Vother reinforcement, portions'V of the work collapse, thus entailing -much more work to restore to original form or, if negarchitect are not met.

ligentlyA overlooked', the functions desired by the The reinforcement is, also notV supported` away from the forms,'nor is it completely surrounded byconcrete. lFurthermorethe reinforcement is sov out -of position that the network willnot test tothe intended strengthV orV strain resistance.

"Iherefore,v I have invented an apparatus for supporting-an'dspacingj the lstirrups and rods` in beams, joists, slabs andthelike, of suchacharacter thatthe architects spacing may beaccomplished accurately as designed ".a'nd intended; an apparatus so complete and thorough that reinforcement will stayfplaced despite workmen traffic and construction impacts;. anf apparatus whicheliminates a materialamount of the tying and allof the stringin`g,thus:al1owing complicated placements without'finterference;and which, if overlooked and not tied: at all,` stilllgives a better job 'and anearerapproach tospecications than Yat present accomplished. v

I have also provided an apparatus, the component steps and parts of which are cheaper to *put intopractice than present types, thus reducing theftotalv :cost ofv a job, pleasing the architect by its accuracy andfsecuritmand pleasing the contractor'bylv reduction in labor costs of Stringing `and tying, which latter are sometimes enormous in deep," difficult for complicated beams, joistsfslaband 1ike`-f`or1ns`."" '1 i :This apparatus,"and the functions desired of it,` aresecured by `using la. driving' member, as hereinafter describediindetail, somewhat similar to an ordinaryfence staple, butof aparticular design and shape adapted' to the; job, working in cooperation' with a spirall spring with removable cores, the shape and weight of which are-determinedby-the weight and. sizeof; the

various-portions of` the reinforcexrlent work that isto `be fplaced n"loearns-,Q.iists;Y slabs and the like.. A k f..

.E3 .L; 5 f J. i. 5 Tnisifnethd and apparatus does-fthe Whole Ijob of' supporting-and spacing reinforcement work, tnesteps and elements cooperatir'ig"-` together in the` arrangement of beams, joists'gslabs and the like, in', such avv manner t hat lwhe`re` there are numerous stirrupsV more driving-A members are needed" than spring types of holsters; and vice versa,t i.e., Where kstirrups are `fewer vor` absent more'A spring type bolstersfare used. f

This apparatus al'sorpfovidesja very simple vand erasywavy to tiefinreinforcements 4when a minimum of tying is absolutely essential.. All

members arereasily,V adapted Vas to length or size improved reinforcing elements in an apparatus of the character noted.

In accomplishing these and other objects of l the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Y

Fig. 1 is a perspective View showing ak struc,- tural element form, partly in vertical' crosssection, providedv withv reinforcing elements; and supports and spacers therefor, Which-,constitute an embodiment of this invention. 1

Y Fig. 2 isa vertical cross-sectional ViewA through a structural element showing the relation ofthe reinforcing devices andmy.- supports andspacers therefor, relative toY such; structural; element. p Y Fig.'3.is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view, substantially onvthevline` :if-3, Figx2'.,

Fig. :4 isI a planviewA ofY the: form, .structural reinforcing element, ,supports and spacers there,- for illustrated inlig. l.

Fig. 5 is av perspectiveview ofrabeam` spacer embodying a feature of thepresent invention.

Fig.y 6y isl anend elevational view of la beam spacerr showing. the relation. thereof-to; beam: re,- inforcing elementsand a beam, the form,'beam and reinforcing elements being shown in transverse, vertical cross-section. Fig.v 7 is. a detail; [perspective view vof a slab spacer embodying; .a Afeature .of this invention,. Y, Fig. 8` is anend elevationalA view of the slab spacer,y the. atband core. beinggshown in, venti?,V cal. cross-section.V and; the slab. "reinforcing, ,elef ment, being., shownlv diagrammaticallyf Fig. 9VY is. a. side.. elevational-.view of the, slab spacer illustrated in.Eigs .,7and8i. UY.; l. Fig. 1.0 isan endeleyatenakview .ofthestirrup spacer illustrated in.;Figs.;1 1; allitlgl. w

Fig. 11 is a perspectiveviewf ,afoltrriV of',A

rup. spacer embodying .a feature.,A ofethis invention, .afporltione of astirrup being shown,.dia1 grammatically, inl supported `relation to. thestirrupspacerr.; 1 Y. Y Y Fig. 12 is aside-elevational. view,1 of the stirrup spaceri11ustrated in ...lifgi 1.11.@ o Y Referringfmorein detail tothedrawings?.

l generally-.designates aforrnlfar. beams.,.j9sts, slabs ,e and the like, .Wllil1`-rin thlillliallmf prisesla botmmr wall. 25.,.siile Wallet and. 4,.. and upper Walls 5 andV 6 for defining a space 'I into which?, Generelle.. 0r.. similar.. mat-be S1191; amanner. aS if?. ferm, a beaml VSlab., inistor Otheltslitable @acheminement-ir Y j f ab veL pointe.y out One.- Of.. the, principm features, off invention: is the facilitationfof placementiof. reini'ircing.2 v.levicefs relative; to s'tructur'alel,ei'jnentsd and to' ,this= end, taking beams @is an' examplegstirrurs. 8,.'a're-cmp1oyejf1', which Strruis' eneally QO'IiS'St.fi'alproximately` the U-sh'aped'devices shown Yhaving side arms joined'by a base menfljberV 9" and having upper, laterally; extendingjhooks I0- and I-I for hooking into'a'slab related `tothe bea-mbeing-y formed:

`in the eld with fewer types than in other In order to facilitate placement of the stirrup 8 and maintenance thereof in desired position stirrup spacers I2, Fig. 1, and/or I3, Figs. 10, 1l and 12, are provided. The principal requisite of the stirrup spacers are that they be provided with an eye I4 of sufIicient size to easily pass any of the portions of the stirrup 8 in such a manner that they may be sleeved on the stirrup inV supporting relation tothe several parts thereof;A The stirrup spacers should have at least one' post I5 provided with an end I6 capable of ernbedment in a form, such as I, Fig. 1, and in dicated generally in Fig. 1 as at IIi.l

It is sometimes desirable to obviate sleeving of the stirrup spacers over the stirrups, and to this end I prefer to provide the stirrup spacers with a double post, shank or foot, as at I'I, for augmenti-ng the effect of the foot member or post I5.

Thesecooperative foot members provide a more stable support for the stirrups on which they are threaded, sleeved or placed., The footA members t5, and I'I are related to the eye I4. ofthe stirrup spacer in such amanner asto allow application of Ythe .spacers to the stirrups intermediate the ends thereof: as by the provision of a space I;8f, Fig. 10, between the ends of the foot members attheir `iunctures I9 and. 20, with the extremities of the. eye.v le. With this arrangement it is ap.- parent that the footr members'may be arranged straddle-wise of a portion of. a stirrup andpressed or struck, as with4 a hammer, in the direction of the stirrup. When the stirrup` spacer is aided in movement in the noted direction, as by a light impact with a hammer or the like, the stirrup spacer easily passes over the portion ofthe stirrup desired. The stirrup spacers are preferably formed. of a material havingv an inherent. resil'- iency which allows an initial spreading thereof to pass over the stirrupsand then causesthe stirrup spacer to resume its` substantially normal condition in sleeved relation tothe stirrup. v

lllher foot membersV are preferably arranged to cross. each. other; as indicated at ZI, yin Figs. l1 and 12, .in suchv aV manner Vthat''thejunctures of the foot members withY the eye of the spacer form spaced supports for portionsoffthe stirrups.A This is. a material advantageiforthereason that the stirrup'has substantialv support on'the spacer, andthe; spacer foot members, whenbothare em'-Y bedded'. in theform',A provid'ea stable andi substantial support capable 'off adequately 'spacing-the stirrups 'and -holdingfthem in desired position without collapsing asa. consequence of accidental impacts, stepping upon them, for'othe'r difficulties encountered in the normal routine of the-Werke ersV erecting the structureof I is to forma/part. v.

Afterrplacement-of jthe'fstir-rup -in the form, re# inforcing barsrsuchasithefbar 22, Figi, 1, offrez:2 tangulari-cross-sectiori and/ori bar`sf23 j off circular cross-section? are mounted-'longitudinally -in` the formt-in suchiva mannerl a'sto resty rilpon-"tl bases 91-of the stirupsiS; as* sliown'- at 24;-*Figf1g zang 2; andT 2e and: 21, Fig; 3. l It is` desirab1e that/the bars 22 and/or? 23 be adequatelyfsupported longitudinally thereof and preferably in upwardly spaced relation-to-thebottom 'wall 2 ofthe form in such amanner.y that tlieyA do not show1 below the beamafterI concretev has" been poured into the form, annif-thus 4allowpnresentation of 1 abetter appearing i structure aswell as aiding fin the erectionof a strong structure. The -stirrup wliichthis invention form, consequently also holdttlie.. and/or 23 `in that arrange ent in aconvenient,

.economical and eiiicientniannr.-

Properplacement of the stirrups obyiously ordiT narily requires a great deal of work. VThe presentv to reduce thenumber of stirrups thatfr rormally would be required to Y adequately `support vthe structural member "reinforcing elements.`.I, therefore, provide a cooperative spacer and/or bolster relative to the stirruporstirrups'that acts concurrently with and as an adjuncttoithe stirrups in cooperatively supporting the reinforcement bars and at the same time spaces thefsame .and holdsthem in desired relation to each other and tothe stirrups. Y l

'Ifhebeam spacer and/ or bolster28 illustrated'in Figs.- and 6,.is an illustrativev embodiment of this form of cooperative spacenand/orbolster relaf 1.

tive to the stirrup. v The preferred arrangement ofthis beam spacerbolster 28 is embodied Vinta spiral spr-ing 29 that is `capable of being rolled into place, the spring having suitable resiliency and spaces 3Q between the coils-thereof forallowing the bars 22 and 23 to beV arranged in de- .sired spaces 30 between the spirals 29 of the spring undertension of the coils in such a manner as to hold the bars in place, as illustrated in Figs.

Lafrance y Y e bars 23 or 2| are given transverse support supplemental -to the bases offthe stirrupsby a Vcore 3i for the spring, the preferable arrangement of the Vcore being a bar of circular cross,

section and having-a Vlengthof approximately the width'of the form L l The core 3i Vis preferablyrarranged looselywithinthe spring and is `thuscarranged on the bottom ofthe spring subsequent to rolling the spring into desired position.

The `core 3| is preferably of sufcient diametrical cross-section to support the bars 272 or 23 in the same plane as the support of the bars by the stirrups.

If desired, adjacent coils of the spring spacerbolster may be tied, as indicated at 32, Fig. 6, in order to positively retain the bars between such coils in supported and' spaced relation to eachV other.

In practicing my invention with the suggestedY apparatus above referred to, for example, in the construction of a beam, the stirrups are substam tially positively applied tothe form in suitable numbers as by the stirrup spacers illustrated, and this preferably without the use of guide Wires normally employed in structures of this type heretofore available. Depending upon the number of stirrups employed, the beam spacer-holsters 2B are placed at intervals between the stirrups and the reinforcing rods are applied to suitable spaces between the coils of the beam spacer'- bolsters, and are thus resiliently held in desired position.

The beam spacer-holsters and stirrups are related, in that both act together and supplement the action each of the other. The more stirrups that are used the less number of beam spacerbolsters are necessary, and vice versa. The stirrups and the beam spacers both act together in properly arranging thereinforcing rods vertically and laterally relative to the form rand the l stantiauytne same advantages with'tnemodned bleairrformed'therein.v When concrete'nis oiiired into the form,`lall of the reinforcing'elements i and/or supports therefor that can be exposed thrcughthebeamare merepoints or` lines, asdisf forni of strcture illustrated'in Figs; 7 to 9, rnow tobe described in detailgw Ihe formof spacerbolster"illustrated" in Figs.

'7-V to 9 is substantially similar tothatfillustrated in Fig. 5, Withthe exception that itis preferably lighter in the springportion 35, and the'4 core36 l thereof is preferably of a dierentf arrangement fromfthepOre 3i,}of thefspacer-bolster 23; In the present instance, the core 36 constitutes a, flat bandY that is removably arranged in theinterior .offfthe spring.` The lside edges 31 and 38cf` the band contactportions of the interior of the spring to. maintain the band in spaced `relation to the bottom` of the form in which it isplaced. T his arrangementjprovides for spacev 39 below the bandandfspaces and 4I at the sideslg of Vthe band between the spacer-bolster coils that allow material, such as concretegtoeasily pass bythe spacer-bolster and, accumulate below the core. vIt is apparent that the c ore may be perforated, if desired,'to further facilitateplacement of `concrete jand` the like underneath the core during pouring of concrete the form, in which the spacer is arranged,

Practice of the 4present invention may be carried outwith the forms of spacer-bolster illustrated in Figs. rIto 9, in a manner substantially similarto that referred to in connection with vthe Vform of invention illustratedin Figs. `1 to 6,. in Y "clusive, and Figs. 10 to 12. i'

It is apparent, therefore, that I have provided by the'present invention, a method randapparatus Vthat greatly facilitates the construction of monolithic structural elements; `that laccurately 'place s `reinforcements for such elements and ade- V4qu'ately supports the samej .and,furth`er,` that architects` specifications may" be conveniently, economically and efficiently conformed to by contractors. What I claim and desire to secure Patent is:

1. In an appara byA Letters us of the characterdescribed,

t a form, stirrups, means Afor substantially positively applying the stirrups in spaced relation longitudinally Vof and in the form, a bolster consisting of a wire spiral having convolutions provided with a core extending .therethrough in spaced relation to the upper portions of the convolutions and loosely mountable in the form in spaced relation to the stirrups, reinforcing elements'arranged longitudinally of the form and adapted for concurrent support by the bolster and stirrups collectively, whereby the reinforcing elements are resiliently held in spaced relation between the convolutions of said spiral, and means for tying portions of said spiral portion of the bolster to substantiallypositively retain the reinforcing elements in desired position relative to the spiral member.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a bolster adapted for loose mounting in a form to aidin supporting a reinforcingA element comprising a spiral spring, and a core loosely mounted in the spring, said core consisting of a relatively flat band arranged within the spring, thef sides of said band engaging portions of the spring to 4 y weze?? wir@ lment, thenvvliliqn Of Seid Wire .1.6- .men having @firmes @needing above th we, gafnd'reinforcjnlg elements Supported by 'the' b01- 

